Eire-operated stock-releasing device



APPLICATION FILED DEC30. I918- Patented July 22, 1919.

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rrnp srnrns Par N FFTE.

EERO ESKELIN, F WORCESTER, MASSACHUSETTS.

FIRE-OPERATED STOGK-RELEASING- DEVICE.

Application filed December 30, 1918. Serial No. 269,005.

T0 all whom it may concern.-

" movable rod adapted to be operated by the Further obJects and advantages of the inof a stable with the preferred embodiment the doors to open.

Be it known that I, Enno EsKnLrN, citizen of Finland, residing at Worcester, in the county of Worcester and State of Massachusetts, have invented a new and useful Fire-Operated Stock-Releasing Device, of

which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to a device for releasing stock from a barn or stable in case of fire- The principal objects thereof are to provide a device of this character of a simple and inexpensive construction, and more specifically to secure such simplicity and inexpensiveness by providing a longitudinally fall of a weight in case of fire to operate the device for releasing the stock and allowing This construction also has other advantages as there is nothing that is likely to get out of order, no mechanical parts that can fail to operate on account of rust or disuse, no delicate setting of any parts, and no electrical devices or batteries to be kept in order.

vention will appear hereinafter.

Reference is to behad to the accompanying drawings, in which 7 Figure 1 is an end elevation of a portion of this invention applied thereto;

Fig. '2 is a side view of the same, both of said views having one wall removed to show the lnterlor construction;

Fig. 3 1s a fragmentary plan;

Fig. 4: is a side view of a portion of the device as in Fig. 2, but onan enlarged scale, and

Fig. 5 is an enlarged view of part of the stock releasing device shown in the same position as in Fig. l. V

I am aware of the fact that several devices have been proposed for the purpose of re leasing stock in case of fire usually operated by a flexible connection adapted to be strung around the barn or stable and connected with some mechanical or electrical device so as to operate the same if the flexible connection is injured by fire, so as to separate. This invention is designed to be used with such a flexible connection and any of the kinds heretofore proposed, either those that burn or those that melt, can be employed. Therefore I do not describe in detail any particular device for this purpose, but I have shown a flexible connection 10 adapted to be strung around the building in any desired manner.

According to this invention, one end of this is fixed to a stationary element and to the other end is secured a weight 11 which it holds up. This weight is shown as having a rigid arm 1.2 pivoted at 13 and is intended to be held up nearly in vertical position under normal conditions, but when the connection 10 separates the weight 11 is released and is free to swing down as indicated by the dotted lines in Fig. 2. At the end of its stroke it engages the end 15 of a longitudinally slidable rod 16 and acts as a hammer thereon to drive the rod inwardly, and it is the action of this rod that is de pended upon to release the stock.

I have shown a spring 17 fixed in stationary position in such a place as to be engaged by the weight or hammer head 11 as it drops, but not stiif enough to materially retard its action. It is designed to spring up s soon as the weight drops to its final position and engage it on the rebound so that the weight will not vibrate.

The action of the rod 16 in moving to the left in Figs. 2 and 4: is to release the stock in the most simple manner possible. It is provided with a plurality of projections or arms 18, each parallel with the rod and each normally resting on a pair of supports 19. These projections hold up a series of hooks 20 each hook having a spring 22 on one side and designed to hold a chain, halter, or other fastening device 21. These hooks may be located in any desired place.

For releasing a door as 25, the rod 16 is provided with a, connection 26 which passes over pulleys to a bolt 27 which holds the door closed, and the motion of the rod in the direction. for releasing the stock as above described will pull the bolt also. It is to be noted that this bolt can be drawn by hand when the cattle are in place inthe stable without interfering with the device, provided it is again placed in locking position. This bolt preferably is located on the inside of the wall.

In operation, the movement of the rod to the left brings the projections 18 out of engagement with the hooks 20 and these hooks are then free to fall over by gravity. The halter or other fastening device 21 is always held in such position that only its curved end and the yielding free end of the spring 22 oppose its removal from the hook and no struggling of the animals to get away will release it therefrom. It is also noted that an attendant can release any individual animal with out interfering with the position of the rod 16 by manipulating the spring 22, and that the cattle can. be secured in position in a similar manner, the shape of the hook facilitates that operation. Another way to do it is to move the rod half-way over to the left so that the ends of the projections 18 can enter the hooks 20 and hold them up and then move the rod back to the right as far as it will go. This simultaneously locks up all the cattle.

Although I have illustrated and described only a single form of the invention, I am aware of the fact that modifications can be made therein by any person skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention as expressed in the claims. Therefore I do not wish to-be limited to all the details of construction herein shown and de scribed, but what I do claim is 1. In a device of the character described, the combination with a flexible connection destructible by fire and a pivoted headed hammer connected therewith and normally held up thereby above the pivot in inclined position and adapted to be released so as to swing down about the pivot when the connection parts, of a horizontal slidable rod having a head on the end located below the pivot at a distance therefrom equal to the lengthof the hammer in position to be moved horizontally in a direction perpendicular to the axis of the hammer pivot by the direct horizontal impact of the hannner-head on the end thereof when it falls, and releasing devices arranged to be actuated by such movement of the rod.

2. In a fire operated stock releasing device, the combination of a destructible con nection, a weight, an arm connected with said weight and pivotally supported, said connection being secured to said weight to hold it in elevated position, a rod having an end in position to be struck a blow by said weight when it is released and falls, means connected with said rod for releasing stock,

and a yielding device for engaging the weight on the rebound and preventing its vibration after it performs its function.

3. In a stock releasing device, the combination with a member destructible by fire and a weight normally held up by said member and adapted to be released when fire acts upon it, of a rod having one end in position to be struck a blow by the weight when it drops, said rod having a series of short parallel projections upon it, and stock holding hooks normally secured in position by said projections and adapted to be released when the rod is moved by the fall of the weight, said hooks each having a rigid hook-shaped portion for preventing the release of the stock when the hook is held by one of said projections and having a spring member on the other side adapted to yield to a strong pull when exerted in the opposite direction.

4. In a stock releasing device, the combination with a member destructible by fire, of a rod adapted to be moved when said member parts, said rod having a projection upon it,

and a stock holding hook normally secured in position by said projection and adapted to be released when the rod is moved by the fall of the weight, said hook having a rigid hook-shaped portion for preventing the release of the stock when the hook is held. by said projection and having a spring member on the other side adapted to yield to a strong pull when exerted in the opposite direction.

5. In a stock releasing device, the combination with a member destructible by fire, a weight normally held up by said member and adapted to be released when fire acts upon it,

of a rod having one end in position to be struck a blow by the Weight when it drops said rod having a series of short parallel projections upon it, stock holding hooks normally secured in position by said projections and adapted to be released when the rod is moved by the fall of the weight, a door bolt, and a flexible connection extending from the door bolt to said rod, whereby the motion of said rod will draw the bolt.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto affixed my signature.

EERO ESKELIN.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patentsi, Washington, D. O. 

